Coach Paul Chryst has the press conference for Pitt-FSU today. It’s at noon and being streamed live. I may be watching and commenting. [Editor Note: Correction, it appears to be a premium feature so no live watching unless it’s being aired on ROOT.]
Okay, the game notes for Pitt-FSU are out (PDF). On page three you can find the first 2-deep.
I’m not going to try and reprint the whole thing, because fixing the formatting would take too long.
So let’s just hit the surprises/highlights/etc.
Artie Rowell is listed as the starting Center. There is no OR. Considering Roberts still struggled in training camp with the snap exchange, this can’t be a total shocker.
Tyler Boyd is indeed the starting #2 wide receiver. T.J. Clemmings is starting over Dorian Johnson at right tackle.
The two-deep features two-tight ends. J.P. Holtz is one starter (ahead of Scott Orndoff) and Manasseh Garner is listed as the other (with Jaymar Parrish behind him). No fullback and Garner’s spot is not being called the H-back.
Isaac Bennett is being listed as the running back, but Malcolm Crockett is listed behind him rather than James Conner. Not sure if it’s the shoulder or just meaningless. That will likely be a question in the presser today.
Over to the defense, Ejuan Price is listed as OR at both defensive end starter spot. Interesting because I interpret that to mean they really are high on Price as a disruptor in passing situations, and are looking to line him up where they feel he can create the most havoc.
Anthony Gonzalez is listed as the starting linebacker over Todd Thomas. We’ll see how much time Gonzalez and Bam Bradley actually are out on the field over Thomas.
Actually seeing Ray Vinopal and than Cullen Christian as #1 and #2 at free safety on the depth chart fills my heart with dread.
No Tyler Boyd on punt or kickoff returns. My money is on that happening by the third game.
I am not exactly wild about the set-up for punt and kickoff returns. Senior CB K’Wuan Williams is the primary punt returner. On kickoffs it is CB Lafayette Pitts and S Jason Hendricks. All three are clearly the best at their positions on defense. Not to mention both Williams and Hendricks have battled injuries at various times. So sticking them back there is a little unnerving. It was pointed out on twitter that some of it may be motivated by Chryst trying to help both seniors with their draft stock by featuring them on special teams.
Notes on the depth chart from Chris Peak at PantherLair.
Now just waiting for the presser.
After the offseason we’ve had, I just want to watch a damn game. I haven’t posted often since last season, because until they play, it’s all speculation.
I hope PITT is ready to come out and smack FSU in the mouth from the opening kickoff. In last year’s opener and some of the other games, we came out flat. We cannot afford to do that against FSU. I hope PC has his men ready to play as soon as they run out of the tunnel. If he does indeed have HIS type of players now after the Israelite-like Exodus in the offseason, he should know HOW to motivate them.
We can predict all we want (6-7 wins is mine), but I just want to see if they play with heart and play physical.
If Pitt’s OL can get a good push in the run game, it’s possible they can control the clock and keep Winston and Co. on the sidelines. For the defense, a timely turnover (or three) in our favor would up the pressure on the frosh QB. He may have all the talent and tools in the world, but he’s only faced HS defenses up to now in actual games. Let Donald knock him around a little bit and see how he reacts. If Pitt can consistently get hits on him, his inexperience may start to show.
My kool-aid (spiked with Makers Mark) prediction for 9/2, take the 10.5 points. (IMO, it will move to about 12 prior to kickoff). I don’t have a lot of hope they will win, but I think they can keep it within a TD.
GO PITT!!!!!
Time for Pitt to win a BIG GAME. Can they?
Prediction still being formulated.
The only team that can beat FSU on Monday is FSU give the points which I think will be 13.5 at game time
I think we can play with the Crimi-noles, but only if we play with effective EMOTION.
The big question mark in my mind is:
Can this coaching staff get this team ‘jacked up’ emotionally enough to pull of the upset.
Or will one fumble, one interception, one miscue just totally turn PITT into a big piece of jello.
Hopefully having Larry Fitzgerald around will provide some extra motivation.
We’re toast, as Malcom “Sonny” Crockett has shown nada in camp.
Comment by Bobby 08.26.13 @ 3:45 pm
That one wasn’t on National TV to an entire nation on Labor Day nite.
We’ve got a small chance to change the nation’s image of PITT football. The ND game was a small step, as most in the nation watched and pulled for PITT. We lost but we lost showing we could compete with a Big Boy.
This is our best chance this season to change an entire country’s image of the state of Pitt football. It really is a unique opportunity for PC & staff and for Pitt football in general.
For there are no other football games on Labor Day nite on National TV but PITT/FSU .
Truly a Golden opportunity !
I’m usually really optimistic about the season going in but I have butterflies in the stomach this year. I figured 7-5 last year with Sunseri, who I thought would be better in his SR year, and Ray Graham who I figured would give us his normal 1,000 yards.
It would be a lot easier on us fans if PITT had played consistently throughout the 2013 season but with the ‘two on / two off’ W/L dance I have no real idea of how that 2012 team was built.
As always then; the default prediction of 6-6 for the regular season kicks in. Not a reach as we’ve been 7-5, 6-6 & 6-6 over the last three years.
With an improbable Pitt upset, at least you can bask in the glow of a Pitt victory while you add up your loses.
Oy vey, I say!
But the absolutely worst moment for me was when they actually all came together against ND. And lost.
My wife came down to console me. I exploded, “JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!”
So that is realistic but means they have to beat all they should… N. Carolina, Navy, Syracuse,…
Throw in one upset vs. FSU (hey we can dream), ND, V. Tech or Miami and they can be 8-4..
… so say they lose one they should have one… and have one upset…. 7-5.
I look for Pitt to do the same. And, I look for Pitt to adjust the LBs to get the best run stoppers into the game.
IMO, this could make for a lower scoring game. And, a game that is possibly up for grabs.
UPitt – I think Blewitt has that ‘cool under pressure’ that is needed in a kicker. He’s been on the big stage before in HS and succeeded. We’ll see but if I’m looking at someone who may really feel the pressure it is Tom Savage.
In the past he’s been the type of QB who carries a mistake around with him for awhile.
Let’s hope that Street on offense and Donald on defense can keep the team and the huddles upbeat and calm.
Win or lose I’m for Pitt to the end.
H2P!
BTW, MariettaMike, I sincerely hope that Pitt DOES “pull a Youngstown State against the Seminoles” as in an underdog comes into the opener with the attitude to knock somebody upside the head and accomplishes that from the opening kickoff never allowing the team that should dominate the game from ever taking a lead, ending up embarrassing them by their superior play throughout the entire contest. Yeah, lets be YSU!!!!!!
If we hang tough but lose, people will point out how scrappy our team is, or how poorly Florida State played, or both.
If we win…well then we better win the next three games!
Looks like we’re not the only ones breaking in some freshmen.
I’m hoping Pitts and Williams can shut these guys down.
They better put a fast and athletic spy on their QB too, or he’ll kill us with his legs.
Honestly fellas, I think we might have a chance. Not a good chance, but a chance.
of course, who cares as long as pitt wins? id like a 10-7 win just as much as a 45-38 one!
Make no doubt about it, turnovers and big plays will be necessary for Pitt to stay in this game.
As for the uni’s – it seems to me that the Pitt athletic department doesnt understand marketing and the opportunity a change of uniforms – if for only a game, generates in PR, fan excitement and income.
HTP – beat the ‘noles!
No one knows and no secret leaks……
Pederson changes the uniforms to the yellow and blue and we had the script. The excitement and the national audience would do a double take and say wow Pitt’s uni’s look awesome. Pitt is playing tonight. Not Navy, Notre Dame, etc.
Then I wake up and realize Pederson is our AD and our marketing department is bush league.
